Crossroads Mission feeds hundreds

Hundreds and hundreds of hungry folks were able to get their empty bellies filled Tuesday and Wednesday at the Crossroads Mission.

On Wednesday, the courtyard was filled with tables all occupied by very thankful people in need of a good meal. They were treated to a dinner of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, green beans and bread.

Scotty Davis, who is a recovering drug addict, is now clean and happy he was being treated to a full-course fresh meal.

"I love Thanksgiving. Every day should be Thanksgiving," Davis said.

"I was a heroin addict for 15 years, but last year I decided to clean up. I went to Crossroads Mission, where I kicked my habit on the floor literally. That is where I detoxed. I made a decision that was completely opposite to what I've done in the past. It was rough but not as rough as I thought."

Now that he is sober, Davis has become a peer support counselor for others trying to kick a nasty drug habit.

"I am doing a lot better and I am volunteering around town trying to give back here and there where I can," he said. 

"There are a lot of people down here today donating their time, who went through the same thing. I was a tramp on the street, and a lot of guys here that you see, you wouldn't know it by looking at them, but they came a long ways just because they were given a little bit of love by somebody sharing and caring just a little bit."

Davis has a lot to celebrate this Thanksgiving.

"I am thankful for everything and to be alive, sober and clean," he said. "Now I am happy and have serenity. I am more mature and responsible. I have a home, which I hadn't had in 20 years. It's even got a mailbox."

Charles Craig, a Crossroad Mission executive board member, said success stories like Davis' are exactly why Yuma needs the mission.

"I am thankful we have a place like Crossroads Mission in Yuma. All the activity that takes place here and all the help is given to so many people in so many ways. Many people think it is just a homeless shelter for the bums and the tramps, but it is so much more than that."

Craig wants the average citizens of Yuma to come down and tour the mission for themselves.

"I want the people of Yuma to see what is going on down here with all the people," he said. "I am also thankful to the many Marines and firefighters that are down here volunteering their time to help serve this big meal which is very important. Happy faces with full bellies, amen."

Ericka Argomaniz decided to bring her three kids along to help pass out the food.

"I am mom and all my kids have a lot and I wanted them to learn how to serve others," she said. "This is our first time doing it and it's exciting. I want them to learn how to give. I want them to walk around and say happy Thanksgiving to the other kids and adults out here. It was hard for my teenage daughter to get up, but she did. "

Argomaniz said volunteering makes her feel special.

"I don't like watching people go hungry, and this is giving me an opportunity to meet the needs of others. It makes me want to bring blankets and more food and help out, not just on Thanksgiving, but on any day, all year."

Richard Perez, a retired Marine, was at the Crossroads Mission with other volunteers to distribute clothes and gear to homeless vets.

"We have an organization called Veterans Helping Veterans," Perez said. "Every year we get equipment to donate to the homeless veterans. We have helped, between yesterday and today, close to 30. We are giving them sleeping bags with a waterproof bag to cover it, blankets, socks, T-shirts, underwear, scarves, gloves, beanies and brand-new combat boots."

Perez was also once a veteran living on the streets.

"I left the Marine Corps after 20 years and unfortunately, I had some issues (possibly from Desert Storm) and I got divorced, and my retirement went to my wife and children. I was broke. I know what they are going through and that is why I do this."

Perez said it is important for veterans to help other veterans in need.

"It feels good for us to help each other. If we don't take care of each other, nobody else is going to. We are a band of brothers just like we were in uniform and that carries on to civilian life. Like I tell our servicemen coming up to the booth, veterans helping veterans is the only way. The guys here in Yuma are doing their part to help vets by giving them warm clothing. We take care of each other."

Perez said the group can now offer help to veterans year round.

"We especially try to help veterans on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but now we are available all year. If they contact me, I will get them clothing."

For more information about Veterans Helping Veterans, call 581-3178.

The Crossroads Mission will host a traditional turkey meal Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the mission, 944 Arizona Ave.

For more information call 783-9362.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.